Ixtapa, Mexico

Ixtapa is a government-planned tourist resort that was begun in the early 1970s and constructed on what was once a coconut plantation and mangrove estuary.

In 1968, the Bank of Mexico created a special fund for the creation of new tourist destinations on the country's coastlines. The first two such destinations were Cancún, in the state of Quintana Roo, and Ixtapa, next to the town of Zihuatanejo. The development of Ixtapa was supported by a loan from the World Bank.

The master plan for Ixtapa was developed by architects Enrique and Agustín Landa Verdugo, who also participated in the choice of the site. Their project defined the tourist destination's street layout and zoning. The project is organized in super-blocks with irregular shapes, with the high-speed streets separating these blocks, and cul-de-sacs within them. A couple of architects were selected to build this city, some are still residents of this town. Architects like Miguel Ángel Rojas and Concepción Rivera live and work in this town.

Ixtapa Offers over five thousand hotel rooms and villas for you to choose from. Many hotels and resorts offer All-Inclusive packages to bring additional benefits at a lower cost to their guests. Many of the large hoteliere chains have properties in Ixtapa, including Melia, NH, Holiday Inn, Park Royal, Hotel Ixtapa Palace Resort & Spa, and Club Med. Cruises often stop at Ixtapa, the city has become a major cruise stop and a major attraction for its beaches.